Author:
Scott Gieseke
The ATA Board of Directors’ annual summer meeting took place July 10-13 in Washington, D.C., and welcomed guests and speakers from political leaders to presidents and CEOs of influential outdoor organizations. Here are some highlights from those meetings.
Dan Forster, ATA’s next director of government relations, discussed his archery-related interests and career at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
ATA CEO/President Jay McAninch said the ATA can become more involved in minimum advertised price (MAP) issues, and that retailers and manufacturers can engage in conversations about important issues like new product introductions and the cycle for when products are launched. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
On July 12, former U.S. Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) guided ATA staff, Board members and their guests through the U.S. Capitol building during an exclusive, nighttime tour that included time on the floor of the House and Senate chambers. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
While updating the ATA Board about Archery360.com and Bowhunting360.com, Teresa Johnson – ATA’s senior director of communications and administration – discussed how viewers land on Archery360 and how long they stay. Johnson said viewers now stay on the page longer than they did during the sites’ startup phase. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
Attorney Sunny Cameron from Cameron/McEvoy PLLC discussed his law firm’s long association with the ATA during his presentation to the Board of Directors. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
ATA Board members and staff listened to several presentations about the ATA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the archery industry by providing industry data and research, developing business education and support services for retailers, and prioritizing staff time and budget resources on initiatives to strengthen and grow bowhunting now and in the future. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
ATA Board members and staff toured historic parts of Washington, D.C. Seen here, from left, are Jimmy Primos, Ben Summers, Ted Houser, Darren Hogan, Jay Scholes, Dan Ellyson, Sean Streff, David Fleming, Kelly Kelly, Mark Copeland, Todd Bahnub and Mitch King. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
Jeff Crane, president of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, spoke to ATA Board members and staff about the leadership of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and what the Caucus does for all hunters, anglers and shooters. In addition he discussed the need to modernize the Federal Excise Tax (FET)/Pittman-Robertson Act, and the need to support legislation for long-term agency funding. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
Whit Fosburgh, CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, discussed his group’s efforts to forge partnerships and strengthen the hunting community’s conservation heritage. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
John Frampton, CEO of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, updated meeting attendees about the national recruitment, retention and re-engagement – the so-called “R3” – plan and modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Act to increase its ability to recruit hunters and expand hunting opportunities. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, said everyone within the outdoor recreation space must work together and that it is vital for the U.S. government and Congress to recognize the importance of outdoor recreation to the U.S. economy and to all citizens.
The July 2016 Board meeting marked Dan Forster’s first event since joining the ATA staff as the next director of government relations. Forster, center, is pictured here with Mitch King, current director of government relations, left; and Jay McAninch, ATA CEO/president. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
Mitch King, ATA’s current director of government relations, updated Board members on legislative priorities and the ATA’s new Deer Protection Program. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
Nick Pinizzotto, CEO/president of the National Deer Alliance, discussed his first year with the NDA and its efforts to build bridges between hunters and state wildlife agencies nationwide. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
Pat Raffaniello of Raffaniello and Associates offered his political insights into the presidential campaign when meeting with ATA Board members July 13 in the Capitol. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
The Honorable Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) entertained ATA staff, Board members and their guests after dinner July 11 with stories about several interesting hearings and meetings during his long career. Young has served in Congress since 1973, and is a longtime bowhunter and trapper. Photo: Patrick Durkin/ATA
